Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind during landing.
NTSB analysis
During a cross-country flight the pilot said he listened to the automated weather report a few miles west of his destination and noted crosswinds at 17 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The pilot continued the approach to landing and reported the touchdown was "uneventful," but during the landing roll a gust of wind rotated the nose 90 degrees into the crosswind. Subsequently, the airplane departed the runway surface and impacted a ditch adjacent to the runway, causing the nose wheel to collapse. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the engine firewall.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA033 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 1, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Middleton, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- Middleton Muni - Morey Field (C29)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Lancair Company LC 40 550FG
- N-number
- N777XX
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2002
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.